# Just pretend

> Ouch...

**Published by:** [MALQA_ink](https://paragraph.com/@main-malqa/)
**Published on:** 2026-06-15
**Categories:** malqa, shortstories, stpry, coin
**URL:** https://paragraph.com/@main-malqa/just-pretend

## Content

"I'm tired. wanna quit." There was a thud as the woman's forehead hit the table. "Ouch, ouch, ouch..." She let out a cry of pain, tears welling up in her eyes. She looked at him with a pitiful expression. The man ran his hand through the loops of his own hair and sighed in frustration. "Can you at least try to keep it together, Elena?" Elena lay sprawled on the table, eyeing him with suspicion. "Keep it together? Hah. What did I even do?" She sniffed dramatically. A mocking grin appeared on his lips. "So many Asian dramas... and now look at you, straight out of one" She froze and immediately straightened up. The chair scraped backward a little, and a few people turned to look. Some wore frowns. She paid no attention. Her gaze stayed fixed on him. "What difference does it make now?" She rested her elbows on the table and buried her face in her hands. Her posture stiffened. The veins on the backs of her hands were bulging. "I've lost everything, Jasper. The project that was supposed to make us rich was just a scam. The token's worth less than a napkin now." He sighed. Poured her a glass of water. His voice lacked the sadness hers carried. "This'll pass too. Our turn will come. Here. Drink up." With tear-filled eyes and a flushed face, she took the glass and gulped it down. Wiped her mouth with her sleeve. "$Malqa was supposed to retire us," she muttered, glancing at Jasper. One of his hands moved under the table and formed a fist. Still, all she could see was the calm on his face. Her voice cracked. "You don't care?" The sobs took over. "All our money. Everything we had. Gone!" She hid her face again, but her shoulders trembled. Jasper could feel the stares from behind, drilling into him. Even the background noise seemed to have quieted. He placed a warm hand on her shoulder and gave it a firm squeeze. "Cut it out, idiot. People will think I'm hurting you." Red eyes looked up. Teeth clenched tightly. "Why should I care what they think? We've got nothing. How are you so calm?" He shrugged. "What can I do? It's already done." He heard her sigh. "I'm getting old. Can't go on. Wish time could turn back a few years." He squeezed her shoulder again. "That's the point. Just pretend." Her brows drew together. "Pretend what?" "Instead of wishing you were younger, pretend you're a toothless old lady who's traveled back in time." Her eyes widened with rage. She shoved his hand off her shoulder. "Who the hell are you calling an old lady, jerk?" She looked around, clearly searching for something to hit him with. "Hey, hey!" Jasper raised both hands in surrender. "I said pretend! You completely missed the point." As the argument escalated, a waitress approached their table. "Hi there. Welcome. Are you ready to order?" Elena didn't bother to reply. Jasper offered an apologetic smile. "Yes, thank you." The pen moved across the notepad. "Alright, what can I get you?" His fists opened and closed subtly on the table. "Two servings of forgetfulness, please." A puzzled, confused look spread across the waitress's face. "That's not on the menu." A reassuring smile formed on Jasper's lips, teeth gleaming. "Pretend it is."

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